Anderson, who keeps a daily weather log, said a year ago this week temperatures peaked in the low 90s. Today the mercury will bottom out well below freezing.

"It's really hurting our garden center sales," he said. "Last year, all our summer and spring goods, we couldn't get that stuff fast enough. This year, we merchandised for it and the weather turned quickly.

"This is actually not the kind of weather that brings any sales at all, he added, saying people are waiting for more constant spring-like temperatures before making seasonal purchases.

The switch in weather is forecast to bring snow to parts of Kansas today, including a few inches in Goodland. Much of western Kansas was expected to experience a hard freeze overnight as temperatures dropped to 25 degrees in some areas, with the state's wheat farmers fearing for their already drought-stricken crop.

In Reno County, rain was expected to turn into a winter mix - snow, freezing rain and sleet - by early this morning, with temperatures dipping below freezing the next two days, as well.

After the milder weekend and an uptick in garden sales, Todd Winger, with Westlake Hardware, said the forecast ushered some customers through the door Monday in search of plastic sheeting and tarps to cover their plants. Even Westlake employees were working to protect plants, bringing them indoors when typically they would stay outside this time of year.

"Sales spiked over the weekend, with people trying to get (spring) stuff done," Winger said. "Now everything is slow. We are trying really hard to keep a spring vibe."

So is Mike Penny, whose landscaping business comes to a standstill during weather like this.

"This is normally a busy, busy, busy time," Penny said of the company, Mike's Turf Management, which he operates with Steve Barber.

This year, however, it is a "lot of hurry up and wait."

The business includes taking care of lawns, as well as putting in lawns and sprinkle irrigation systems, but in this weather, crews can't handle the irrigation pipes without fear they will break.

"We are two or three weeks behind what we normally would be - at least, what's been normal the past two years," Penny said. "This year has been a late winter."

Not everyone is seeing a drop in business. Zac Kitson, barista at Metropolitan Cafe, said he expects more coffee sales because of the chilly temperatures. The business even extended the soup season into March because of the later winter.